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Trump details US oil demand amid conflict in Iran
Michigan Representative John James, a Republican, recently addressed several critical topics, including the collapse of U.S.-Iran negotiations, President Trump’s strategy for achieving energy dominance, and the potential naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. James emphasized the significant impact of U.S. oil production on global energy prices and the Iranian economy.
A senior Middle East analyst cautioned on Sunday that Iran may retaliate against a proposed U.S. naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz by leveraging its Houthi allies to disrupt another essential maritime route. This potential escalation could target the Bab al-Mandeb strait, a crucial passage that connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. This narrow chokepoint is responsible for approximately 12% of global oil shipments, serving as a pivotal trade link between Asia and Europe.
The strategic importance of the Bab al-Mandeb makes it a likely focus for any retaliatory actions by Iran, which could further exacerbate tensions in the already fragile global energy markets. Mona Yacoubian, the director and senior adviser at the Middle East Program, noted the potential consequences of such a move. “If the U.S. goes ahead with its blockade plan, Iran might respond by ensuring that Gulf countries face similar export challenges,” Yacoubian explained in an interview with Fox News Digital.
An aerial image of the Bab al-Mandeb strait highlights its strategic significance, showcasing the vital waterway and its surrounding terrain. This photograph underscores the potential impact on global trade and energy supplies if tensions in the region escalate further.
Aerial view of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait showing the waterway and surrounding land. (Orbital Horizon/Gallo Images)
“This could translate to further attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure or even deploying the Houthis to blockade the Bab al-Mandeb,” Yacoubian added.
Yacoubian’s remarks came after Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior adviser on international affairs to Iran’s Supreme Leader, signaled Tehran’s view of the Bab al-Mandeb in light of potential U.S. action to block the Strait of Hormuz.
“Today, the unified command of the Resistance front views Bab al-Mandeb as it does Hormuz,” he said in a post on X.
Yemeni soldiers patrol the strategic Bab al-Mandeb Strait (Abdulnasser Alseddik/AP)
“If the White House dares to repeat its foolish mistakes, it will soon realize that the flow of global energy and trade can be disrupted with a single move.”
U.S. Central Command released a statement Sunday saying the naval blockade would begin Monday and be “enforced against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.”
President Donald Trump also said the U.S. Navy would block “any and all ships trying to enter or leave the Strait of Hormuz” in a post on Truth Social.
In March, the U.S. warned ships at the Red Sea chokepoint of Houthi attacks
“The Houthis continue to pose a threat to U.S. assets, including commercial vessels, in this region,” a maritime advisory said of the Iran-backed armed group that controls much of northern Yemen.
In this image provided by the U.S. Navy, the amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall and amphibious assault ship USS Bataan transit the Bab al-Mandeb Strait on Aug. 9, 2023. (Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Moises Sandoval/U.S. Navy)
“Potential hostile actions include one-way unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attacks; unmanned surface vehicle (USV) attacks; unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) attacks; ballistic and cruise missile attacks; small arms fire from small boats; explosive boat attacks; and illegal boardings, detentions, and/or seizures,” it said.
“U.S.-flagged commercial vessels operating in these areas are strongly advised to turn off their AIS transponders,” the advisory stated.
Yacoubian also determined in a Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) report that Iran was threatening to expand the conflict further to the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb compounding global market disruptions.
“It could leverage the Houthis, its Yemeni proxy, to once again wage attacks on the strategic waterway, depriving Saudi Arabia of its key workaround for oil shipments given the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz,” she added.
The Houthis joined Iran’s war against the U.S. and Israel on March 28 when the organization launched two ballistic missiles at southern Israel. Both were intercepted.